TN legislative committee approves fracking regulations

5:43 AM,
May 23, 2013

Written by

Duane W. Gang
| The Tennessean

The Tennessee General Assembly's joint committee on government operations on Wednesday signed off on new fracking rules after more than two hours of testimony from state regulators, environmental groups and gas industry officials.

The regulations will take effect June 18.

Hydraulic fracturing - fracking as it is often known - is a method in which water and chemicals are injected into shale to break apart the rock and release natural gas. The practice, combined with the ability to drill horizontally deep underground, has led to a natural-gas boom in the United States. ...